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Abstract

ning as cancer.I still remember the medical care I received as a child.My mother (or both parents) took me to a pediatrician who had her own practice. She might have had a receptionist — she probably did but I don’t remember. I do remember the doctor.I found her stern but Mom obviously trusted and liked her. Looking back, she was a good doctor, and the care she provided was patient focused and direct.Mom never had to deal with the hassles of today, with HMOs and PPOs and rules monitoring everything. She didn’t have to deal with several different departments or wade through endless bureacrats to finally get to the one who could help.Unfortunately, that is what most of us have to deal with these days.I have found this to be true even with a facility I like as much as Texas Oncology.The doctors I have worked with there are top notch, take the time I need to answer my questions, and allow me to make the medical decisions I think are best for my body while giving me advice on what they consider the best options. I truly feel that they are partners.The nursing staff is also amazing.The problem?Scheduling and other administrative staff.For example, recently I’ve had to change some medical procedures to better allow me to make medical decisions. Unfortunately, due to the rules put in place by administrators and the incompetence of some of the scheduling staff, I’ve had to make several phone calls to get something done that should have taken one, or at most two such calls.This type of thing adds needless stress for

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people already dealing with the stress of fighting serious illness.Another recent incident pinpoints that.I was in the hospital due to low sodium levels. Once they had me stabilized, I was eager to get home. The doctor wanted to discharge me. The nurses were ready to do so. However, due to the incompetence of hospital administration, it took some effort on my part to get the discharge to happen.I could have given up, but I was persistent.However, I was also polite. And I made sure to let the people who helped me know how much I appreciated them.The thing is — doctors and nurses, for the most part, want to do what is best for their patients. Nurses in particular are the unsung heroes of healthcare.The best way to get the help you need, whether it is with your medical providers, with the IRS, or with Amazon is to be persistent. If they say they will get back to you in a certain timeframe and they don’t — it’s OK to remind them you’re still there, waiting for assistance.As long as you are calm, polite, and friendly, you are within your rights.Afterwards, feel free to gripe to friends and family, but when talking to the bureaucrats — be sweet.Does this always work? No. But it’s surprisingly effective.I am fighting stage IV cancer. If you would like to <a href="https://gofund.me/1f6b51e0">help with medical bills</a>, I would really appreciate it. Or if you enjoy my writing and would like to <a href="https://ko-fi.com/shefali7808">buy me a cup of coffee</a>, that’s great too. Maybe someday I can return the favor.</article></body>

The American Medical System Requires Patience

Being calm, friendly, and persistent gets the best results

One thing I’ve discovered — when you are dealing with bureacracy, you need to remain patient and calm even if you secretly yearn to kill someone. You also need to be persistent. What is it they say about squeaky wheels?

Once upon a time, life seemed easier.

When you called a service provider you got to talk to a real person by default. Now, you have to go through a labyrinthine maze of “press 1 for X, press 2 for Z” which seldom gets you the help you want. If you are lucky there is an option to talk to a real person, but the wait times can be insane. When you finally get through to a real person (assuming you eventually do) you might be tempted to harangue them because you are JUST SO FED UP.

Don’t. Keep your temper. Be calm, even friendly.

Remember, the person you are talking to has probably already dealt with several hostile people by the time they talk to you. Differentiate yourself. Be respectful.

Is this difficult? It can be.

It’s is bad enough when your streaming service hiccups. However, stress levels go through the roof when your health is involved. Particularly when you are dealing with something as life threatening as cancer.

I still remember the medical care I received as a child.

My mother (or both parents) took me to a pediatrician who had her own practice. She might have had a receptionist — she probably did but I don’t remember. I do remember the doctor.

I found her stern but Mom obviously trusted and liked her. Looking back, she was a good doctor, and the care she provided was patient focused and direct.

Mom never had to deal with the hassles of today, with HMOs and PPOs and rules monitoring everything. She didn’t have to deal with several different departments or wade through endless bureacrats to finally get to the one who could help.

Unfortunately, that is what most of us have to deal with these days.

I have found this to be true even with a facility I like as much as Texas Oncology.

The doctors I have worked with there are top notch, take the time I need to answer my questions, and allow me to make the medical decisions I think are best for my body while giving me advice on what they consider the best options. I truly feel that they are partners.

The nursing staff is also amazing.

The problem?

Scheduling and other administrative staff.

For example, recently I’ve had to change some medical procedures to better allow me to make medical decisions. Unfortunately, due to the rules put in place by administrators and the incompetence of some of the scheduling staff, I’ve had to make several phone calls to get something done that should have taken one, or at most two such calls.

This type of thing adds needless stress for people already dealing with the stress of fighting serious illness.

Another recent incident pinpoints that.

I was in the hospital due to low sodium levels. Once they had me stabilized, I was eager to get home. The doctor wanted to discharge me. The nurses were ready to do so. However, due to the incompetence of hospital administration, it took some effort on my part to get the discharge to happen.

I could have given up, but I was persistent.

However, I was also polite. And I made sure to let the people who helped me know how much I appreciated them.

The thing is — doctors and nurses, for the most part, want to do what is best for their patients. Nurses in particular are the unsung heroes of healthcare.

The best way to get the help you need, whether it is with your medical providers, with the IRS, or with Amazon is to be persistent. If they say they will get back to you in a certain timeframe and they don’t — it’s OK to remind them you’re still there, waiting for assistance.

As long as you are calm, polite, and friendly, you are within your rights.

Afterwards, feel free to gripe to friends and family, but when talking to the bureaucrats — be sweet.

Does this always work? No. But it’s surprisingly effective.

I am fighting stage IV cancer. If you would like to help with medical bills, I would really appreciate it. Or if you enjoy my writing and would like to buy me a cup of coffee, that’s great too. Maybe someday I can return the favor.